Holland & Knight Creates Venezuela Focus Team
MIAMI (February 7, 2019) – Holland & Knight has formed the Venezuela Focus Team, a group of partners who will assist clients with interests in Venezuela. The Venezuela Focus Team was created in recognition of the current political turmoil in the country, and will include 20 partners experienced in sanctions and trade, corporate and tax, energy and natural resources, real estate and hospitality, and international disputes.
"Many of our clients hope positive changes will emanate from recent events," said Jose Sirven, the Miami-based co-chair of the team. "We are beginning to get expressions of interest from many clients for a return to what was once a thriving market."
Holland & Knight has had a strategic alliance with the Tinoco Travieso Planchart & Nuñez law firm for more than 20 years. The two firms have jointly represented dozens of clients on Venezuelan matters, from entry into the Venezuelan market, mergers and acquisitions, issues relating to exiting the country, dealing with expropriation issues, and litigation and arbitration relating to disputes with the current government.
"We are fortunate to have a close relationship with a well-established Venezuelan law firm that has been in existence for over 100 years," said Mr. Sirven. "Our work with Tinoco Travieso is seamless and of the highest quality."
Holland & Knight is uniquely qualified to help clients navigate the complex political and business environment in Venezuela. The firm's Latin America Practice, with more than 175 lawyers, is one of the largest among U.S. law firms. Holland & Knight is also one of the few U.S. firms with an office in Colombia, Venezuela's neighbor and a country where many of its top natural resources professionals currently reside in exile.
"We are preparing now to help our clients move quickly when appropriate," said team co-chair José Vicente Zapata in Bogotá. "We have been advising banks and transportation clients concerning the recent sanctions, and we expect more needs to arise in the near future."